Nick Boles, the Minister for Skills and Equalities, has invited the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) to produce a programme of reform for Functional Skills. The task was revealed in a letter to providers that was published on 21 July, and follows the ETF’s ‘Making Maths and English Work for All’ report which was released earlier this year.

Across much of the sector, Functional Skills are seen as a valuable alternative to GCSE English and Maths, and the Skills Minister would like to further refine the qualifications to ensure that they are both respected and credible, and suit employers’ needs. During the development of the reform programme, Mr Boles has suggested that the ETF work closely with Ofqual, the Department for Education and BIS.

The Chief Executive of the Education and Training Foundation, David Russell, spoke of his delight in his organisation being chosen to propose measures of reform, indicating that he intends to use the ‘unique sector-owned position in the skills system (that the ETF holds) to consult with education and training professionals and their representatives’.